Convertible and collapsible litter



Nov. 14, 1944. H. V. REYNOLDS 2,362,721

CONVERTIBLE AND GOLLAPSIBLE LITTER Filed April 13. 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. fli/m l4 Eff/van);

Nov. 14, 1944.

H. V. REYNOLDS CONVERTIBLE AND COLLAPSIBLET LITTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 13. 1942 a I a I 1 n w v INVENTOR. [rm k) V. Kim 040s.

.BY rr gm Patented Nov. 14, 1944 .UNlTED ST A'l ES 'PATENT OFFICE CONVERTIBLE COLLAPSIBLE LITTER Henry V. Reynolds, La Fayette, Ind. Application April 13, 1942, Serial No. 438,762

18 Claims This invention relates to a convertible and collapsible litter.

The chief object of this invention is to provide a litter structure capable of having its parts adjusted and when adjusted in one or more positions, capable of use for support and/or 'transportation of a patient or convalescent unde peculiar and/or limiting circumstances.

Broadly speakingythe invention is for the removal of persons, by way of example, from a building r location where that person is confined or trapped therein and the invention may be used as a straight cot, stretcher or litter, a straight chair or a reclining chair on wheels and the patient or person thereon maybe removed by carrying or rolling the invention or by lowering the same from upper stories, from roofs or windows or by elevating the same, as by hoisting up embankments, et cetera, through the addition of cables, ropes, straps, et oetera.

The invention, therefore, is an aid in an emergency and may be used by fire departments, police departments, the armed forces, for ambulance service, for motor, train or aeroplane service in connection with the handling of sick or injured persons carried thereby.

Another object of the invention isto construct the same so it may be readily collapsed into a minimum volume for storage and transportation and which can be partially collapsed for patient transfer through the vestibule, and the like, of Pullman cars, transport planes and other conveyances having a comparatively small opening or passageway for ingress and exit of passengers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible structure which can be adjusted by a single operator and which in many cases, may be handled by a single operator for movement of apatient or convalescent thereon.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter The chief feature of the invention in addition to the construction of the same whereby the aforesaid objects are accomplished, resides in the provision of at least three and generally four sequentially connected sections in association with a frame comprised of two spaced members herein united together throughthe back section and where the latter is pivotally supported, the two side members comprising the frame structure having their opposite ends lat- Other features of the invention will also be 'set forth more fully hereinafter.

The full-nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following specification and claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible litter in collapsed position, associated with a canvas litter used as a covering for the same.

Fig. 2isa similar view of the collapsible litter in'chair formation.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the collapsible litterin Jpartial chair position. a

Fig. 4 'is a perspective view of the litter in fully extended position and capable of serving as a cot, therebeing illustrated therewith a suspension support, and means for moving the same together with straps and the like for securing the patient to be carried for prevention of accident to the patient.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through a strap support, a section and an angle cross brace member for said section.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view enlarged, of two adjacent sections at adjacent corners illustrating the hinge connection therebetween.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken through one side of a section adjacent one of the laterally movable free ends.

In the drawings I0 indicates a seat section, II a back section, l2 a headsection, l3 a leg section with a lateral extension l4 forming a foot support as well as a handle. The head section has rigid therewith a support [5 also constituting a handle arrangement. When the sections are extended, this handle support arrangementsee Fig. 4may serve as a floor engaging support for. the extended litter or cot. When the sections are positioned as shown in Figs. 2 and'3, said handle arrangement I5 is adapted 1 to serve as a handle.

,the wheels l8 between the ears. of. the axle ll are extended beyond the outermost ears of the two yokes and are apertured diamet- Rigid with the foot end of the leg section and at each side thereof is a yoke I 6 and an axle l1 extends through the ears thereof, and-mounts rically for cotter key reception, the cotter key being indicated by the numeral 20 and carried by the spring 2| or. other flexible connection permanently connected as at 22' to the frame member 23. r

The two frame members 23.are singular straps, although they may be of .jother metallic shape and the free ends of said straps are capable of The free ends I lateral movement relative to the associated structure and for adjustment purposes.

The intermediate and major portion of the straps are stiffened and suitably reenforced by a U -shaped member 2 4 which may be permanently connected at opposite ends to the strap 23 or may be pivoted as at 25 to the strap 23 near what may be termed the head or upper end of the same and detachably associated as at 26 with the strap or frame member 23-at the lower or foot end of the'structure. 1

The purpose of the aforesaid is to provide, as

stated, a stiffening arrangement for the frame 7 member. It also provides a hand rail which can be utilized by persons in carrying the litter or cot when an exceptionally heavy individual is to be transported thereby when two persons fore and The pivotal and detachable connections are utilized whenever it is desired to have this stiffening hand rail detached at 26 and tilted downwardly and rearwardly so as to serve as a rear leg for weight support, like the back leg of a chair. Whenever it is desired to utilize the invention as shown in Fig. 2 or 3, the patient may be wheeled by an attendant into the open air, on to a lawn, et cetera, and then the hand rails may be detached and positioned-rearwardly and serve as legs and sustain the'structure in chair formation without requiring the presence of an attendant. p

The U-shaped hand rails primary function, as stated, is to stiffen the main frame since it is capable of laterally flexing and with the hand rail secured thereto at opposite ends, the member 23 is rigidized between the ends of the hand rail structure leaving the free ends of said member 23 free and capable of lateral movement. The provision of such a hand rail also may be of assistance, both physically and psychologically in connection with the transportation of an invalid patient, et cetera. In carrying a patient or invalid downstairs or upstairs or transporting the patient, as illustrated in Fig.4, the patient may use both hands to grasp the hand rails and whether that be effective or not, nevertheless it has been demonstrated the psychological effect is most favorable so that in the movement of the patient the psychological resistance is substantially eliminated.

It is to be understood that the inward end of the leg section ['3 is pivotally connected as at 21 to the lower end, as it were, ofthe seat section [0. The other or upper endof the seat section is pivotally connected as at 28 to the lower end, as it were, of the back section II which at its opposite and outer or upper end is pivotally connected as at 29 to the inner end of the head section I2. Each .of these sections is free of the side rails or frame 23, except the back section which is pivoted as at 30 to'the adjacent side rail. 7

The seat section is provided with U-shaped .members 3| at each side. The numeral 32 indisee Fig. 4. Whenever desired, these straps 35 may be applied to strap the patient to the struc ture in any of the several positions in which the structure may be adjusted.

These straps together'with a first aid 'emer-' gency kit may be carried in a container 36 which has one end provided with a closure 31 hinged at 38 to provide access to the interior of said container. This container is carried by the back section II and extends substantially the full width ofthe same.

The exact details of the construction of each section are intentionally omitted because the same may take many forms. One form and that hereinpillustrated in Figs. .5 6 and..'Z, is where the section includes two angles 55' spaced apart and bolted or otherwise secured, to'a single cross member 56 of angle form and between the ends of said first mentioned spaced angles. A plywood or other equivalent base 5|, suitably upbolstered or covered as at 52, is then detachably or permanently mounted to the two parallel angles as at 51; In the case of the knee section, the carrying handle and wheel yokes are rigidly secured to the spaced angles. The aligned angles of adjacent sections at adjacent-ends have a hinge formation 53-54, see Fig. 6, that may support hinge forming portions and preferably as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the pintles thereof are formed as a single rod extending from one side of a section to the other. This hinge construction is shown most clearly in Fig. 6. The head section has its handle portion secured to the remote ends of the'twoangle members forming that section.

Immediately adjacent the foot end of the leg section and carried by the angle forming same and immediately adjacent the head end of the head section and carried by the angles thereof, are the pivotally mounted members 39 and 40, respectively. These are apertured as shown more clearly in Fig. '4 and the strap structure 4| provided with snap hooks 42 can be snapped tothese members 39 and 40 and a pair of these strap structures, provided with a pulley 43 and a loop or eye 44, may ride a cable 46 Whenever it is desired to transfer a patient by an overhead line. When the litter is to be drawn across a chasm, or the like, or from one building, or the like, while so supported a similar drawing structure 41 may have its snap hooks 48 associated with the pivoted connections 40and the eye 49 thereof may besecured the towing cable 50.

It is, furthermore to .be observed that the pairs of strap anchorages 3 l- 3 2-"33 34 are rigidly secured as at 58 by a weld, or'the like, to the spaced angle members 55 forming the rigid portion, of each of the respective sections, all as shown in Fig. 5. I

I When the litter is extended, asshown in Fig. 4,

- it will be obvious that the wheels l3 and the headend handle 15 serve as supportsso that the litter then can rest upon a support, such as the floor of an ambulance .or an elevator, or upon the floor of any room, such'as a first aid station, et cetera. .Again, itis to be observed that for military service field use, as Well as service aboard ship, the straps shown in Fig. 4 and extending upwardly and terminating in loops 44 may be suitably supported by brackets or overhead hooks, much in the manner of a hammock and in that manner the capacity of an ambulance or the capacity of the ship bay to accommodate patients, may be increased and all without danger of patient injury because the straps 3 5 restrain the patient against accidental or intentional escape from the litter when so suspended.

Projecting outwardly from the leg or foot section, near its connection'with the seat or knee adjacent the handle structure 15 is provided with similar projections 60. The head section adjacent its connection tothe back section is also provided with similar projections 6 l.

The end of theframe member 23 at the foot end is apertured as at 62. The head end of each rail is similarly apertured as at 63. The projecting ends of the wheel shaft or axle I! can be seated in the apertures 62, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and locked in that relation by the cotter keys 20, before mentioned, extending through the radial slots or apertures. Each of the projections 59-Bil--BI are similarly radially slotted. When the projections or stub shafts 59 are associated with the apertures 62, as shown in Fig. 4, the leg and foot section is coplanar with the frame members 23. When the projections 60 are associated with the apertures 63 and cotter pinned thereto, the head section is positioned, as shown in Fig. 2. When, however, the projections or stub shafts El are associated with the apertures 63 of the frame members 23, the head section then is coplanar with the frame members 23, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Any other conventional and suitably detachable connection may be sub; stituted for the stub shaft, aperture and cotter pin look without departing from the basic disclosure of this invention.

To facilitate collapse and extension of the sections the foot end of the frame members is provided with angular portions E l. These are hand gripping portions. It will be observed that each hinge 53 or 54-see Fig. 6-is extended outwardly, upwardly as at 65 and then provided with a return hook forming portion 66, see Fig. 7, for

embracement of the frame member 23 at the lateral defiectable portion thereof. The adjacent hinge members illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, are each provided with such a hook arrangement 58, as illustrated in Fig. '7. When these hooks overlie the laterally yielding end of the frame member 23 they bear on the edge thereof and thus prevent breakdown or collapse of the sections and maintain coplanar alignment of said sections with each other and, the frame members. This arrangement is shown in Fig. 4, being the cot position.

It is, of course, to be understood, as previously pointed out, that in lieu of the ends of the members 23 being provided with apertures, the same may be provided with projections inwardly directed and the several sections, et cetera, instead of being provided with projections, would in turn be provided with sockets to receive such frame member end provided extensions. This is a mere reversal of the illustrated and described detachable connections.

It is again emphasized the frame members 23 have detachable association at their ends with certain sections and the only permanent connection between these frame members and sections is through the back section where the same is pivotally and permanently connected to the frame members 23 at 30. It is quite obvious that other projections may be provided in addition to those illustrated so that when so provided, the several sections may be otherwise secured in different adjusted positions from that illustrated.

In connection with Fig. 1, it is to be observed that there is provided a canvas sling r litter which has a rope periphery 89, a canvas body 8| having cutouts 82 at appropriate places to providehandholds. This canvas or like sling at its adjacent edges is provided with suitable detachable connections 83, such as straps and snag buckles of the character conventional to school straps, mailing cartons, army uniforms, belts, et cetera.

When the head section and the seat sections are turned backward, which is permitted by the construction since the ends of the frame members 23 yield laterally, .and they are turned towards each other, as in Fig. 1, they may be detachably secured in said position by anysuitable means.

However, in the present invention, this canvas litter serves as an enveloping band to secure the parts in the collapsed relation and when so secured the handle portion l4 may be utilized as a handle for carrying purposes, it being understood that an average height individual can readily grip the handle portion 14 and when so gripped the lower ends of the frame members 23, as in Fig. 1, will be severalinches from the floor.

In addition to the foregoing purposes, it is to be understood that if the patient be bedridden, this canvas cover or retainer may be removed, placed on the bed beside the patient, then the collapsible litter extended, the patient with the bed clothing then shifted laterally across the bed on to the canvas litter and then that litter may be readily raised and deposited on the extended collapsible litter, then the straps may be applied, as shown in Fig. 4, and the patient be retained on the extended litter. If the patient be conscious, as previously explained, the hand rail portions 24 can be grasped and in that manner the patient will have peace of -mind and not interfere with transportation to the ambulance, et cetera.

Again when the patient is received at the receiving station, such as the receiving room of a hospital, and the like, the patient may be readily lifted from the extensible litter and placed on the hospital bed through the use of the canvas sling and then shifted laterally to permit removal of the sling. The collapsible litter then can be collapsed, the canvas sling or cover applied theretoas shown in Fig. 1, and the structure is then collapsed for transportation and the like, until again needed for use.

It is further pointed out in connection with Fig. 3 that the leg section is elevated and the seat section is positioned angularly of the back section. While this is a somewhat extreme positioning for leg strain relief, nevertheless it is contemplated that whenever desired the leg section may be provided with one or moreadditional projections 10, as illustrated, so that the seat section may be but slightly angled relative to the back section and the leg section may be but slightly angled relative thereto for the relief of knee strain. i

It is quite apparent that when it is necessary to shorten the overall length that the foregoing provides one method of shortening. This is also shown in Fig. 3.' Also, it is to be observed that the overall length can be shortened by tilting the head section as shown in Fig. 2. Such shortening facilitates transportation of the patient through Pullman car areaways, aeroplane entrances and in all cases where a litter of this general type is required to be passed around similar sharp turns. Whenever the back is positioned at to the seat section and the various other sections are appropriately secured together, such as illustrated in Fig. 2, a structure of this character can pass through an opening less than two feet wide and not more than three feet high.

The device illustrated hereinhas an overall width of 19 inches and when fully extended, as shown in Fig. 4, has an overall length of approximately 6 feet. When fully collapsed, as shown in Fig. 2, the structure is but 4 feet in length. The foregoing dimensions are merely given by way of illustration and example and are in no sense to be considered restrictive in character.

Whenever desired or necessary, the device arranged as in Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 may be manipulated with a patient thereon as broadly disclosed in Fig. 4; that is, while suspended, the device may be raised or lowered and not only vertically but at an angle as Well.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modifications described herein as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, all are considered to be within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

l. A convertible collapsible litter including in combination a seat section, a foot and leg section, and a back section, a pair of frame forming members pivotally connected intermediate their ends to opposite sides of the back section intermediate the ends thereof, a wheeling arrangement connected to one end of the leg section and having detachable connection with one adjacent pair of ends of the frame members, and

a handle arrangement having detachable connection with the other ends of said frame members and pivotal connection with one end of the back section, the foot and leg section, seat section and back section being sequentially and pivotally connected together.

2. A litter, as defined by claim 1, wherein each of the frame members is elongated and of a suitable cross-section whereby the end portions of the frame members at the same end thereof are capable of slight lateral fiexure toward and away from each other and are comparatively rigid in the direction at right angles to the flexing direction.

3. A litter, as defined by claim 1, wherein the handle arrangement is substantially of litter width and including, immediately adjacent to its pivotal connection to the back section, a portion forming a head section. 1

4. A litter as defined by claim 1, characterized by the addition of hand rails, means connecting the ends of said rails to adjacent frame members remote from the ends thereof for frame reenforcement purposes, the means adjacent the back section being of pivotal character, and the means connecting the other ends of the rails to the frame members being of detachable character permitting positioning of said hand rails as chair legs.

5. A litter as defined by claim 1, characterized by the foot and leg section including a transversehandle portion for foot support, the handle arrangement includinga transverse handle portion, said handle portions extending oppositely of each other when the sections are not collapsed.

6. A litter as defined .by claim 1, characterized by the frame members having selective connection with the leg and foot section for positioning same and the seat section in coplanar registration with each other and the frame members and in angular relation to each other and the plane of the frame members as desired,

7. A litter as defined by claim 1, characterized by the handle airangement including a head section forming portion, and strap support U- shaped members secured to each section adjacent the sides thereof for patient securing strap application.

8. A convertible collapsible litter including in combination a seat section, a foot and leg section, and a back section, a pair of frame forming members pivotally connected intermediate their ends to opposite sides of the back section intermediate the ends thereof, a wheeling arrangement connected to one end of the leg section and having detachable connection'with one adjacent pair of ends of the frame members, a handle arrangement having detachable connection with the other ends of said frame members and pivotal connection with one end of the back section, the foot and leg section, seat section and back section being sequentially and pivotally connected together, and means at each remote corner of the foot and leg section and the handle arrangement for the application of sling straps whereby the litter when extended may be suspended as a hammock.

9. A convertible collapsible litter including in combination a seat section, a foot and leg section, and a back section, a pair of frame forming members pivotally connected intermediate their ends to opposite sides of the back section intermediate the ends thereof, a wheeling arrangement connected to one end of the leg section and having detachable connection with one adjacent pair of ends of the frame members, a handle arrangement having detachable connection with the other ends of said frame members and pivotal connection with one end of the back section, the foot and leg section, seat section and back section being sequentially and pivotally connected together, and hook means carried by certain of said sections near the hinging thereof and arranged for hooking engagement with the adjacent frame member for rigidizing the hook means supporting section relative to the engaged frame member.

10. .A convertible collapsible litter including in combination a seat section, a foot and leg section, and a back section, a pair of frame formmg members pivotally connected intermediate their ends to opposite sides of the back section intermediate the ends thereof, a wheeling arrangement connected to one end of the leg section and having detachable connection with one adjacent pair of ends of the frame members, a. handle arrangement havingdetachable connection with the other endsof said frame members and pivotal connection with one end of the back section, the foot and leg section, seat sectionand back section being sequentially and pivotally connected together, a projection and aperture connection between certain of said sections and the frame members, and detachable locking means for each such connection.

11. A convertible collapsible litter including in combination a seat section, a foot and le section, and a back section, a pair of frame forming members pivotally connected intermediate their ends to opposite sides of the back section intermediate the ends thereof, a wheeling ar rangement connected to one end of the leg section and having detachable connection with one adjacent pair of ends of the frame members, a handle arrangement having detachable connection with the other ends of said frame members and pivotal connection with one end of the back section, the foot and leg section, seat section and back section being sequentially and pivotally connected together, and hook means carried by certain of said sections near the hinging thereof and arranged for hooking engagement with the adjacent frame member for rigidizing the hook means supporting section relative to the engaged frame member, a projection and aperture connection between certain of said sections and the frame members, and detachable locking means for each such connection. 7

12. A convertible, collapsible litter including in combination a seat section, a foot and leg section, and a back section, a pair of frame forming members pivotally connected intermediate their ends to opposite sides of the back section intermediate the ends thereof, a wheeling arrangement connected to one end of the leg section, a handle arrangement substantially of litter width and having pivotal connection with one end of the back section, the foot and leg section, seat section and back section having sequential pivotal connection, means operatively connecting the frame forming members to the handle arrangement, and other meansoperatively connecting said members to the foot andleg section.

13. A litter as defined by claim 12 wherein the handle arrangement immediately adjacent its pivotal connection to the back section includes a head forming portion, the first mentioned means being of complementary character and at the head end of the litter and between each frame member at that end and the handle arrangement, each complementary means including a pin and aperture connection, there being a plurality of pins for each aperture for selectively connecting the frame members to the handle arrangement for selective positioning of the back section at approximately 90 and 135 to the seat'section as desired, and the second mentioned said other means being of pin and aperture type, and detachably connecting the wheeling arrangement to the other ends of said frame members.

14. A convertible, collapsible litter including in combination a seat section, a foot and leg sec- .tion, and a back section, a pair of frame forming members pivotally connected intermediate their ends to opposite sides of the back section intermediate the ends thereof, a wheeling arrangement connected to one end of the leg section, a handle arrangement substantially of litter width and having pivotal connection with one end of the back section, the foot and leg section, seat section and .back section having sequential pivotal connection, complementary means at the head end of the litter and between each frame member at that end and the handle arrangement, each means including a pin and aperture connection, there being a plurality of pins for each aperture for selectively connecting the frame members to the handle arrangement for selective positioning of the back section at approximately 90 and 135 to the seat section as desired, and means, of pin and aperture type, detachably connecting the wheeling arrangement to the other ends of said frame members, said last mentioned connecting means including a plurality of pins for each last mentioned aperture for selective association therein of the last mentioned pins for positioning the leg and foot section and seat section in coplanar registration with each other and the frame members, and in angular relation to each of said last mentioned sections and the frame members as desired, the litter when the sections are fully extended into coplanar relationship having the adjacent ends of said frame members connected to the sides of the handle arrangement and foot and leg section intermediate the ends thereof.

15. A litter as defined by claim 14 wherein the handle arrangement immediately adjacent its pivotal connection to the back section includes a head forming portion.

16. A convertible, collapsible litter including in combination a seat section, a foot and leg section, and a back section, a pair of frame forming members pivotally connected intermediate theirends to opposite sides of the back section intermediate the ends thereof, a wheeling arrangemenit connected to one end of the leg section, a handle arrangement substantially 0f litter width and having pivotal connection with one end of theback section, the foot and leg section, seat section and back section having sequential pivotal connection, complementary means at the head end of the litter and between each frame member at that end and the handle arrangement, each means including a pin and aperture, there being a plurality of pins for each aperture for selectively connecting the frame members to the handle arrangement for selective positioning of the back section at approximately 90 and 135 to the seat section as desired, and means, of pin and aperture type, detachably connecting the wheeling arrangement to the other ends of said frame members, said last mentioned connecting means including a plurality of pins for the last mentioned aperture for selective association thereof with the last mentioned pins for positioning the leg and foot section and seat section in coplanar registration with each other and the frame members, and in angular relation to each of said last mentioned sections and the frame members as desired, the litter when fully extended into coplanar relationship having the adjacent ends of said frame members connected to the sides of the handle arrangement and foot and leg section intermediate the ends thereof, said handle and foot and leg section each being tiltable about its pivotal connection to the immediate adjacent supporting section and towards the same and each other and respectively lapping the said supporting sections for fully collapsed relation, the litter length when fully collapsed being slightly less than the length of the frame members and when in coplanar extended position appreciably exceeding that of said frame members.

17. A litter as defined by claim 16 wherein the handle arrangement immediately adjacent its pivotal connection to the back section includes a head forming portion.

18. A litter as defined by claim 16 wherein means is provided for securing said. sections, when fully collapsed, in fully collapsed position.

HENRY V. REYNOLDS. 

